The Vertical Workshop’s Blog

This goes for every conference I teach in, but it becomes more and more apparent with each one; this week’s Pilates Style conference in L.A. this past week was no different:  When teachers learn Classical Pilates with purpose and appropriate intention…they get excited about the work!

 The light bulbs I saw go off in the participants’ brains were beautiful, brilliant…they could light Los Angeles and Manhattan…just from Wednesday morning’s seminar!  The excitement over Mr. Pilates’ work is wonderful!

 I encourage you to find Classical Excitement!

How do you do it?  Where to begin?  Well, you came to Pilates for a reason…something about it intrigued you.  So, study up!

1 - Learn about Mr. Pilates - Joseph Hubertus Pilates.  Read “Return to Life Through Contrology” and “Your Health”.  Mr. Pilates grew a lot after he wrote these works, but there is much to be learned from what he writes in terms of intentions of exercises, style of movement, purpose of the whole system.  Read what Mr. Pilates wrote.  Go to the “PPOL Store” at www.powerpilates.com and get yourself a copy of each.

2 - Work with The Elders!  Some of them are still around!  Get yourself to the conferences and meet them!  Sure, they will tell you that they have changed what they learned from Mr. Pilates.  But they will happily show you what they learned directly from him, too!  Romana Kryzanowska, Lolita San Miguel, Ron Fletcher, Kathy Grant, Mary Bowen.  While Romana doesn’t participate in conferences, you can get DVD’s of her teaching.  And even though Eve Gentry is gone, there is great film footage of her teaching in her later years.  Again…most of the elders have altered the work…but take a look at it!

 3 - Watch Mr. Pilates!  What?!  Yes!  There are wonderful archival videos (film transferred to video) of Mr. Pilates teaching, practicing, showering, even!  You must not go another year (let alone week) teaching without ever having seen him in action.  If you’re in L.A., ask me to put together an event…we’ll watch him work and discuss why there are differences today.  Go to the “PPOL Store” at www.powerpilates.com and order the Joseph Pilates Archival Footage.  It’s a great $60 investment!

4 - Train with the finest of classically trained teachers.  Power Pilates is clearly the leader in educating teachers because of the technique of teaching…and…because we only teach classical work.  We teach only what is supported in photos, film and directly from working with The Elders.  I love nothing more than to teach what I have learned.  I wish I had learned it directly from Mr. Pilates, but I am very fortunate to have learned Pilates from Romana and Bob.  But that’s not enough.  I study my archival films, read Mr. Pilates books, seek out as many photos of him as I can, talk to anyone and everyone who will discuss their work with Mr. Pilates and practice practice practice!

 Dig in to the classical work:  Joseph Pilates’ actual exercises, order of exercises and intentions (a strong workout focusing on abdominal strength)!  You’ll have a lifetime of incredible discoveries ahead of you!

 (As always, if you have anything you’d like me to BLOG on, please write to me and let me know.  I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions or delve in to any topic!  Have a great week! - Shari)